Fitting electric car chargers to new homes ‘a powerful idea’

 In Electric Vehicle Charging

A move for builders to fit all new homes and offices in England with electric car chargers has been welcomed by Midlands energy expert Ron Fox. 

Legislation will be brought in before the end of this year which the Government claims will be a world first.

The move, which is only for England as building regulations are a devolved matter, will also mean buyers of new-build homes won’t need to use of the Government’s home charger subsidy scheme and will be able to plug-in hybrids and electric cars more easily.

But the rules do not apply to new-build houses without off-street parking, although the Government is investing in research projects into wireless charge points.  

“It is excellent news, said Ron, “especially as all chargers will have to be “smart” devices ensuring that batteries can be replenished without overloading the National Grid. Also, householders will be encouraged to simply plug their car in to charge overnight just as they would with a mobile phone.”

Under the regulations from next May, new chargers in the home and workplace will be pre-set to switch off each workday during times of peak demand to prevent any blackouts. They will be automatically set not to function from 8am to 11am and 4pm to 10pm. 

However, public chargers and rapid chargers on motorways and A-roads will be exempt

The Government believes plans to phase out petrol and diesel cars are being hindered by the lack of charger points which are encouraging some motorists to hang on to their older and more polluting models for longer.

They want to ban the sale of new pure petrol and diesel cars by 2030 and hybrid vehicles by 2035.

There are around 25,000 public charge points in the UK and government grants have led to another 200,000 more being installed.

But a report by the Competition and Markets Authority said with 30 million cars on the UK roads more than ten times as many public chargers would be needed by 2030. 

The original consultation two years ago, which was delayed by both the general election and then the pandemic, recommended that every new residential building with an associated car parking space would have a charging point installed. 

But existing residential blocks with more than ten parking space would also have to have charging cables running into every parking space, whereas in office blocks a new parking space would be required for every five parking spaces.

“But if the Government is serious about going green and ensuring these new houses and offices are fitted with new car chargers, why not make it a legal requirement that they also put solar panels on the roofs at the same time,” added Ron, of Noreus Ltd on the University of Keele Science and Innovation Park in North Staffordshire. 

For anyone wanting more information on electric car chargers and to have one fitted now call Ron on 01782 756995.

Caption: Many motorists won’t need to use a public charger under a Government move to fit all new homes and offices in England with electric chargers.

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